University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Kaitlyn Becker Johnson
Gainwell Named Doak Walker Semifinalist
Nov 21, 2019 | Football
MEMPHIS – Freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, Thursday. He is the lone freshman on the list and is the first freshman to make semifinalist round 2017 when Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (the 2018 winner) made the list as a freshman.
Gainwell is the second Tiger in as many seasons to be named a semifinalist for the national award. Darrell Henderson was a finalist for the award last year with Clemson's Travis Etienne and Taylor, both also semifinalists again this year.
Gainwell ranks second in the NCAA in all-purpose yards per game with 162.9 a contest. He also ranks seventh in rushing yards per carry (6.66) and eighth in total rushing yards (1,166). His 15 total touchdowns ranks ninth in the NCAA as does his 116.6 rushing yards per game average.
The freshman has started all 10 games for Memphis this season, taking on the team's primary running back duties after an injury to senior back Patrick Taylor in the Memphis win over Ole Miss in the season opener. In that win over Ole Miss, Gainwell carried the ball six times and caught one pass after Taylor's fourth-quarter injury as part of a 6:21 drive that sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Following an 85-yard, two-touchdown performance in the second game against Southern, Gainwell ripped off six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. In that stretch of 100-yard rushing games was a 200-100 game against Tulane. Against the Green Wave, Gainwell became the first player since 1997 to post an effort with over 200 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards.
Gainwell just missed his seventh 100-yard rushing game last Saturday, finishing with 99 yards on 17 carries in a road win at Houston. The win at Houston gave Memphis a perfect 5-0 mark against AAC West Division opponents.
On the year, Gainwell has recorded all 1,629 all-purpose yards from the line of scrimmage, meaning none of his all-purpose yardage has come on punt or kick returns. He ranks second in the NCAA in that category nationally, but with 60 fewer touches than Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard, the national leader.
The Doak Walker Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker.
The three 2019 finalists will be announced on Monday, November 25. The Doak Walker committee will cast their votes after this week's games. The finalists are invited to Atlanta to the Home Depot College Football Awards presentation on December 12.
2019 Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
LeVante Bellamy, Senior – Western Michigan
A.J. Dillon, Junior – Boston College
J.K.Dobbins, Junior – Ohio State
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Junior – LSU
Travis Etienne, Junior – Clemson
Kenneth Gainwell, Freshman – Memphis
Chuba Hubbard, Sophomore – Oklahoma State
Xavier Jones, Senior – SMU
Zack Moss, Senior – Utah
Jonathan Taylor, Junior – Wisconsin
Gainwell is the second Tiger in as many seasons to be named a semifinalist for the national award. Darrell Henderson was a finalist for the award last year with Clemson's Travis Etienne and Taylor, both also semifinalists again this year.
Gainwell ranks second in the NCAA in all-purpose yards per game with 162.9 a contest. He also ranks seventh in rushing yards per carry (6.66) and eighth in total rushing yards (1,166). His 15 total touchdowns ranks ninth in the NCAA as does his 116.6 rushing yards per game average.
The freshman has started all 10 games for Memphis this season, taking on the team's primary running back duties after an injury to senior back Patrick Taylor in the Memphis win over Ole Miss in the season opener. In that win over Ole Miss, Gainwell carried the ball six times and caught one pass after Taylor's fourth-quarter injury as part of a 6:21 drive that sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Following an 85-yard, two-touchdown performance in the second game against Southern, Gainwell ripped off six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. In that stretch of 100-yard rushing games was a 200-100 game against Tulane. Against the Green Wave, Gainwell became the first player since 1997 to post an effort with over 200 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards.
Gainwell just missed his seventh 100-yard rushing game last Saturday, finishing with 99 yards on 17 carries in a road win at Houston. The win at Houston gave Memphis a perfect 5-0 mark against AAC West Division opponents.
On the year, Gainwell has recorded all 1,629 all-purpose yards from the line of scrimmage, meaning none of his all-purpose yardage has come on punt or kick returns. He ranks second in the NCAA in that category nationally, but with 60 fewer touches than Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard, the national leader.
The Doak Walker Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker.
The three 2019 finalists will be announced on Monday, November 25. The Doak Walker committee will cast their votes after this week's games. The finalists are invited to Atlanta to the Home Depot College Football Awards presentation on December 12.
2019 Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
LeVante Bellamy, Senior – Western Michigan
A.J. Dillon, Junior – Boston College
J.K.Dobbins, Junior – Ohio State
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Junior – LSU
Travis Etienne, Junior – Clemson
Kenneth Gainwell, Freshman – Memphis
Chuba Hubbard, Sophomore – Oklahoma State
Xavier Jones, Senior – SMU
Zack Moss, Senior – Utah
Jonathan Taylor, Junior – Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballFootball: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-September 17, 2025
Wednesday, September 17
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-September 17, 2025
Wednesday, September 17
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference - September 16, 2025
Tuesday, September 16
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-September 15, 2025
Monday, September 15